Sealing ring



A. E, JESSER June 18, 1935.

SEALING RING Filed Aug. 24, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l I I a I l l 1 I l I n .L l n s.

(/JVVENTOR.

BY 7 vm v ATTORNEYS.

June 18, 1935.

A. E. JESSER SEALING RING Filed Aug. 24, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented June 18, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEALING RING Application August 24,

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sealing rings of the character employed for removably securing the heads or covers to containers and the like. y

In practice, foodstuffs, greases, paints, chemicals, and other substances are stored and/or transported in metal containers, as for example, drums or barrels, formed with a rolled top or open end. Suitable metal heads or covers are employed in engagement with `the said rolled tops of such containers, said heads being removably secured thereto by means of embracing annular members or rings.

These members are generally of the split ring 15 type having means at the free ends thereof for closing said ends in clamping relation about the head and container top. Various means have heretofore been employed for applying a clamping and closing pressure to the ring ends, including systems of levers and cooperating linkage. lThe lever action type of ring in most instances has the lever members thereof either disposed over the head of the container or projecting outwardly beyond the peripheral portion of the ring, thereby interfering with the handling f the container.

For example, in the use of storage drums, it.4 is often desirable to stack the same in interiitting end-to-end relation, which expedient is impossible with the lever rings having the mechanism thereof disposed and operable over the drum head. Likewise, most peripherally located levers interfere with rolling the drum, which 0peration may also damage the lever mechanism itself. i

To obviate these and other objectionable features and defects in the prior art, it is an object of my invention to provide a sealing ring of the lever action type that readily conforms to the outer contour of i the joint between the container and its head without any substantial interfering projection therebeyond.

Another object is to provide a lever linkage closure mechanism for such a ring wherein the elements thereof intert and cooperate to substantially telescope over the outery surface of the ring when closed, and at the same time, providing suflicient leverage for efcient clamping and closing action of the ring ends.

' A further object is to provide, in -a. ring of the character described, means for temporarily securing the lever linkage mechanism in closed position, particularly for facilitating repeated removal thereof as when inspecting or testing the 1934, Serial No. 741,255

contents of the container before nal sealing thereof.

A further object is to provide in connection with a ring of the character stated, additional means for securing and sealing the lever mechanism wherein the means are disposed and operable within a portion of the ring and without any substantial or interfering projection therebeyond.

A still further object is to provide a sealing ring having a, minimum number of parts, which can be economically manufactured.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a lever action sealing ring embodying my invention, showing the ring in closed position;

Fig. 2, a longitudinal transverse section thereof taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, an elevational view of the ring, showing the same in open position;

Fig. 4, a. cross-sectional view through a container and its head, showing the manner of ap- -plication of the ring thereto;

Fig. 5, an enlarged sectional perspective View taken along the line V-V of Fig. 1, particularly showing the pivotal mounting for the link;

Fig. 6, an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 2, showing the temporary lever securing means;

Fig. '1, an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the ring, showing the slide bolt mounting;

Fig. 8, an enlarged perspective view of the slide bolt;

Fig. 9, an enlarged sectional view taken on the -line IX-IX of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10, a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of `my invention in closed position;

' Fig. 11, a longitudinal transverse sectional view taken on the line XI--XI of Fig. 10; and

Fig.- 12, an elevational view of the forri of Fig. l0, showing the ring in open position.

Referring to the drawings, A designates generally a container, as for example, a cylindrical steel drum or barrel, formed at its open end or top with a circumferential rolled portionor bead 2. A metal head or cover 3 is provided for closing said container, which head is removable and has an annular grooved or channelled rim 4 for telescoping engagement with the rolled bead 2 of the container, as shown in Fig. 4. 5 desig- 55 nates a ring gasket or .packing of suitable material which is disposed between the bead 2 and rim 4.

Embracing the bead and rim for removably securing the head 3 on the container is provided a split ring or annular member 6 of substantially channel or U-shape in cross-section, having upper and lower inwardly extending flanges, said ring being preferably formed of resilient metal for outward flexing upon removal from the head and to provide a clamping action by its flanges upon the rim 4, the bead 2, and the interposed gasket 5.

My invention has to do with means for contracting and securing the ring 6 in place, and in the form shown by Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, a channel-form lever 1 is provided, having a bifurcated end 8 straddling one free end of the ring and transversely pivoted to the opposite flanges thereof by rivets 9, for movement toward and away from said ring. The longitudinal curvature and cross-sectional dimensions of the lever are designed to provide telescoping engagement over and to substantially conform to the contour of the ring 6, when said lever is closed thereon. e

Mounted on the other ring end is a link I0 having a bifurcated end straddling said ring and transversely pivoted to the opposite anges thereof as by rivets I2. Extending in the direction of the lever 1 and .beyond the ring end to which said link I0 is pivoted, I provide a central narrowed integral extension I3 of said link, preferably longitudinally curved to substantially conform to the ring and lever curvatures when in closed position, and having transverse pivotal connection I4 with the said lever.

For the purpose of providing l-a substantially non-projecting pivotal connection at I4, I prefer to provide the following construction. A portion of the body or outer web I5 of the channel- .form lever is cut away as at I6, adjacent the juncture of the bifurcated portion 8 and said web, leaving a narrow transverse strip |1 connected to the cut away portion |6a.

Said portion |6a is bent inwardly and thence upon the inner side of the strip I1, as in Fig. 5, to form a rigid pivot pin of double thickness.

Likewise, the outer or remote portion of the extension I3 of the link I0 is bent back upon itself to form an encircling terminal vloop I8 about the doubled pivot pin |6af-|'|, said outer portion extending under the extension I3 beyond the /iloop for welding or riveting together for added strength.

The ring is applied to the container and head in the open or extended position of Fig. 3. To contract and secure the ring, the lever 1 is manually closed upon its ring end, as in Figs. I and 2, said ring end'having a through opening I8 in the web thereof adapted to receive the under portion of the pivotal loop I8 as in Fig. 1, thereby permitting said lever 1 and the link I0 and its extension I3, to lie substantially at along the outer curvature of the ring when closed, without any appreciable projection therebeyond.

said lever, designed to Ibe received in and cooperate by their edges 22 with registering through openings 23 in the ring flanges, to prevent outward opening movement of the lever.

The flanges 2| of the lever are resilient and yieldable, whereby they are outwardly flexed upon closing the lever to permit the lugs 20 to engage their respective openings 23. To open the ring for inspection of the container contents, a screw driver or other tool may be inserted under the lever to disengage the lugs and openings by a prying action.

While I have shown a pair of said lugs 20, obviously a single lug may be provided which will temporarily secure the lever against accidental opening movement.

My invention also provides additional securing means to be employed either with or without the temporary means 20-23 just described,V

for final sealing closure of the ring, and comprises a slide bolt for engaging the lever 1. Said bolt and its mounting are so embodied in the. ring 6 as to have minimum projection beyond the surface of the ring.

Lever 1 is formed with a longitudinally extending tang 24 at the free end thereof, said tang being offset with respect to the lever so as to be received within a tang-receiving opening 25 provided in the ring end to which said lever is pivoted.

Formed in the back or web portion of the lever end of the ring and extending longitudinally from the opening 25, is an elongated socket 26 stamped or pressed outwardly a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the metal of the ring,` and having open communication with the said opening 25 as at 21.

The outer wall of said socket 26 is longitudinally slotted at 28 and reciprocably mounts a slide bolt 29 having a at forward latch portion 3|)4 adapted to 'be extended Ibeyond the socket at 21 over and into locking engagement with the lever tang 24, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, when the lever is closed upon the ring.

The slide bolt 29 is formed from a at strip of metal of substantially the same thickness as the metal of the ring, said bolt having an intermediate raised portion 3| and a tail piece 32 in addition to the latch portion 30, said portion 3| being offset from the portions 3|) and 32 a distance equal to the thickness of the metal. 'Ihe bolt preferably has a longitudinal curvature in conformity with that of the ring 6 and the formed socket 26. Suitable serrations are provided on the raised portion 3| for engagement by the thumb of the operator for actuation of the bolt.

During the operation of slotting the socket 26, intermediate portions are omitted along each longitudinal edge of the formed slot 28 to provide a pair of lugs 33, said lugs being initially bent inwardly of the socket andv ring as in Fig. 7.

The slide bolt 29 is assembled in the socket by locating the raised portion 3| thereof in the slot 28, substantially ilush with the outer surface of the socket. Lugs 33 are then bent inwardly toward each other beneath said portion 3| as in Fig. 9, to secure the bolt and permit reciprocation thereof within the limits permitted by the relative lengths of the slot and portion 3|.

The tail piece 32 slides within the rear portion of the socket 26, serving as a guide and also preventing disengagement of the boltfrom the socket. a designates a projection on the latch portion 3i! for frictional engagement with a receiving recess on the lever tang 24, for securing the bolt in latching position.

With the lever l closed and the bolt 29 engaging the tang 24 as described, any vsuitable sealing means, illustrated at 34- in Fig. 1, may be employed in connection with the lever, bolt, and/or ring for preventing opening of the ring without destroying said seal.

It is to be noted that by means of my inproved lever and link construction, as well as that of the slide bolt and its mounting, I have provided a ring having vno projectingparts to interfere either with the stacking or rolling of containers to which the ring is applied, the pivotal connection I4 between lever and link, together with the congurations of said parts, providing a substantial conformation with the surface of the ring and container. Likewise, the slide-bolt construction is efiicient and is substantially non-projecting, and has a minimum number of parts.

Figs. l0 to 12 inclusive illustrate a modified form of my invention wherein the split ring 6a is provided with a telescoping channel-form lever 1a having intermediate pivotal connection Ma with one end of a narrowed fiat link I 3a. The link' is pivotally connected to the lever by an integral loopl Ia formed by bending the metal of the link sharply back upon itself and welding or riveting the contacting portions, said loop surrounding an integral transverse portion Ila formed in the body of the lever by and between cut-out portions I6a and IGb.

The other endy of link |3a is pivoted to a transverse integral pivot portion 34 formed by cutting out a section 35 in a ring end, by means of a similar loop I8b, said loop` being formed by bending the metal of the link oppositely to that forming the loop I 8a, and welding or riveting the same to the link body.

In place of xedly pivoting the lever la to the other ring end as previously described, I provide an integral raised abutment 36 formed by stamping out a section of said ring end.

One free end of said lever is engaged with said abutment 36 on the side thereof away from the extremity of the ring end, thereby providing a ful'crum for said lever, about which fulcrum pivotal movement of the lever operates, together with the link, to draw the ring ends together in clamping relation about the container and head.

As particularly shown in Fig. ll, the lever 'la and its link I3a lie substantially along and in conformity with the contour of the ring when closed, without obstruction.

A modied form of latch member 29a is also shown cooperatively engaging the tang 24a of the lever la, which tang is received in a provided opening 25a in the ring. Said member 911, is pivoted at 31 for removably engaging said ang.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, many modications thereof are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a split ring of channel form, a channel form lever connected to and adapted for telescoping engagement with one end of the ring, a link pivoted to the other ring end and having pivotal connection with said lever by means of a looped terminal portion of the link disposed in en-V circling engagement with a transverse portion of the lever, whereby said lever and link lie along and substantially conform to the outer contour of the ring when in closed position thereon, and means on the ring for removably securing the lever thereto in closed position.

2. In a device of the character described, a split ring `of channel form, a longitudinally curved channel form lever connected to and adapted for telescoping engagement with one end of the ring, a link pivoted to the other ring end, said link having a longitudinally curved portion having pivotal connection with the lever by means of a looped terminal portion of the link disposed in encircling engagement with a transverse portion of the lever, whereby said lever and link lie along and substantially conform to the outer contour of the ring when in closed position thereon, andmeans on the ring for removably securing the lever thereto in closed position.

3. In a device ofthe character described, a split ring of channel form, a channel form lever having a body portion and inwardly extending anges adapted for telescoping engagement with one end of the ring, said lever being transversely pivoted by its anges to the said ring end and having a transversely disposed pivot pin integrally formed in the body portion thereof, a link pivoted to the other ring end, .said link having a looped terminal portion encircling said pivot pin, whereby said lever and link lie along and substantiallyl conform to the `outer contour of the ring when in closed position thereon, and means on the ring for removably securing the lever thereto in closed position.

4. In a device of the character described, a split ring of channel form, a lever connected to one end of the ring for movement toward and away from said ring, said lever having a transverse pivot pin intermediate its length formed by cutting away the body of the lever, leaving a narrow transverse strip, a link pivoted to the other ring end and having the remote portion thereof formed with a looped terminal in encircling pivotal engagement with the pivot pin on the lever, and means on the ring for removably securing the lever thereto in closed position.

5. In a device of the character described, a split ring of channel form, a lever connected to one end of the ring for movement toward and away from said ring, said lever having a transverse pivot pin intermediate its length formed by cutting away the body of the lever, leaving a narrow transverse strip, said cut-away portion being bent upon vthe narrow strip for reenforcement thereof, a link pivoted to the other ring end and having the remote portion thereof formed with a looped terminal in encircling pivotal engagement with the pivot pin on the lever, and means on the ring for removably securing the lever thereto in closed position.

6. In a device of the character described, a split ring ofchannel form, a lever connected to one end of the ring and having a transverse pivot pin formed thereon, a link pivoted to the other ring end having a looped terminal portion encircling the said pivot pin, said first mentioned ring .end having an opening therein for receiving the under portion of the looped terminal of the link upon closure of the lever on said ring, and means on the ring for removably securing the lever thereto in closed position,

7. In a device of the character described, a

Isplit ring of channel form, a lever having one end connected to a ring end for movement toward and away from said ring, said lever and the other ring end having transversely disposed connecting portions, a link having looped terminals respectively disposed in encircling engagement about said connecting portions, whereby said lever and link lie along and substantially conform to the outer contour of the ring when closed thereon, and means on the ring for removably securing the lever thereto in closed position.

8. In a device of the character described, a split ring of channel form having extended flanges, a channel form lever having one end connected to a ring end and having extended resilient anges overlapping said ring anges when in closed position, a link pivoted to the other ring end and having pivotal connection with said lever by means of a looped terminal portion of the link disposed in encircling engagement with a transverse portion of the lever, one of said ring anges having an opening and the corresponding lever flange having a projecting lug adjacent the free end of the lever, adapted to enter said opening and secure the lever in closed position on the ring.

9. In a device of the character described, a split ring, a lever connected to one end of the ring and a, link connected to the other ring end and to said lever, the body of said ring having a slotted socket formed outwardly thereof, a slide bolt reciprocable in said socket having an oiset portion thereof disposed in the socket slot, said bolt having a latch portion for engaging the free end of the lever in closed position.

10. In a device of the character described, a split ring, a lever connected to one end of the ring and a link connected to the other ring end and to said lever, the body of said ring having a. socket formed outwardly thereof, said socket being longitudinally slotted and having a depending lug formed along each longitudinal edge of said slot, a slide bolt reciprocable longitudinally of the socket, having an offset portion disposed in the slot and a latch portion for engaging the free end of the lever in closed position, said lugs engaging beneath said offset portion of the bolt for retaining said bolt in the socket.

11. In a device of the character described, a split ring, a lever connected to one end of the ring and having an extended offset tang on the free end thereof, a link connected to the other ring end and to said lever, the body of said ring having a tang-receiving opening therein and an integral socket formed outwardly thereof in open communication with said tangreceiving opening, said socket b eing longitudinally slotted and having a depending lug formed along each longitudinal edge'of said slot, a slide bolt reciprocable longitudinally of said socket, having an offset portion disposed in the slot, said bolt being retained in its socket by the engagement of the lugs beneath the offset portion thereof, the bolt also having a latch portion movable into the tang-receiving opening for engaging the lever tang when the lever is in closed position.

ALBERT E. JESSER. 

